Ethics In Counseling Profession Paper

Counseling is a profession that involves associations based on principles and values ethically. Patients are able to benefit by understanding themselves better and through creating relationships with others. Through counseling, the clients are able to make positive alteration in life and enhance their living standards. Communities, organizations, couples and families are different groups of individuals are main sources of relationships (BACP Ethical Framework, 2013, p.4). Frameworks of ethical practice direct the attention of counseling practitioners to engage in ethical responsibilities. This stud describes the purpose of each principle following the development of good counseling practice. Practitioners make reasonable decisions grounded on these principles without making any contradictions. Nevertheless, research indicates that professionals have met barriers hindering them to integrate all the principles in some cases. In such situations, they are forced to select between required principles. A course of action or a decision is not a merely ethical because it is contentious and that some professionals may have come up with differing judgments. Counseling practitioners should consider all reasonable circumstances by being careful and making appropriate justifications for their decisions

The American Counseling Association and the American Mental Health Counselors Association Codes of Ethics both provide guidance and direction in making ethical decisions for their members (ACA, 2005) (AMHCA, 2010). Both the ACA and the AMHCA Codes of Ethics cover a wide range of moral and ethical situations that could present themselves to mental health professionals. Both of these codes of ethics have significant impacts on the counseling profession. The tools provided by these codes of ethics ensure that mental health professionals are able to conform to the regulations set forth. They address common concerns from varying points of view. Understanding these codes of ethics is essential to all mental

In counseling the purpose of ethical codes is to inform the counselor of appropriate professional actions. The American Association of Christian Counselors has recognized a “comprehensive, client-respecting, legally-sensitive, behavior specific and detailed code of ethics” that they make available to all counselors (2010). Because most organizations make their ethical guidelines available to all counselors it makes it easy for counselors to find any assistance needed. As a Christian Counselor it is vital to practice in a manner that complies with the highest ethical standards because of intensified scrutiny by an unbelieving culture.

Professional associations establish codes of ethics to ensure that clinicians uphold the standards of their association in order to protect the clients they serve and the profession they are affiliated with. This paper will compare the codes of ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

The ACA Code of Ethics states, “when counselors are faced with ethical dilemmas that are difficult to resolve, they are expected to engage in a carefully considered ethical decision-making process,” (ACA, 2014, p. 3). Throughout these three case studies, I will use the seven-step ethical decision-making model to address the important professional issues, relevant ethical codes, and legal standards (Forester-Miller & Davis, 1996). By applying the steps to each case I will share how I came to my resolutions.

A lack of understanding of how to approach a client can be harmful to the client and therefore clinicians and professionals continuously strive to obtain more education and have a clear understanding of ethics. The American Psychological Associations, the American Counseling Association, and various professional organizations provide a comprehensive code of ethics to be used by any professional of psychology.

In the mental health profession of counseling, therapy, psychology, psychiatric and social services ethical dilemmas are faced primarily on a daily basis. Being that mental health professionals are working with clients who are often fragile and vulnerable, they must develop an intense awareness of ethical issues. On the other hand, mental health professionals would never intentionally harm their clients, students or colleagues and others whom they work with. Unfortunately, good intentions are not enough to ensure that wrong doings will not occur and mental health professionals have no choice but to make ethically determined decisions. Depending upon the experience and expertise of the professional determines the outcome of the ethical

There are various ethical issues that could be encountered in the counseling profession, therefore, it is imperative to be aware of laws. Furthermore, avoiding problems before they occur is of the essence, by following the ensuring wellness, continuing education, and supervision and peer consultation (Jackson-Cherry & Erford, 2014). As stated in the text, many states depend on court rulings rather than statutes to guide the actions of a counselor, this issue is not black and white (Jackson-Cherry & Erford, 2014). It is imperative to understand that the decisions a counselor makes not only affect the client but others members of society and their families.

-Next Dorothy would need to identify her feelings. It is important to identify and sort out your own feelings about many things. This will take some effort.

Case Study: Ethical Decision Making The counseling process is of foremost importance to a patient especially those suffering from mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. When a counselor is working with a patient to counsel them, that counselor has an obligation to that patient to help them get better and they must observe all the ethical code to make it successful counseling. The advice and treatment that a counselor is giving to their patient to help them must reflect and rephrase on every word said by the patient. Unethical and unprofessional behavior can occur when the counselor is unable to properly care for their patient, and if they use judgment over behavior and culture of their patient.

When one is dealing with a lot of issues, they may start to feel a bit overwhelmed. After so long, these issues may be hard for them to deal with on their own. They may struggle to cope throughout their daily life. As a result, they may seek professional help that will assist them with overcoming these issues. These counselors have ethical standards they should uphold, in hopes of respecting their client. What happens when the counselor oversteps their boundaries and imposes their own beliefs on their client? This paper will introduce a case study involving a counselor who violates the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, which every counselor should respect.

The counseling profession can be an excellent, rewarding, and challenging field. The purpose of counseling is to help individuals understand and clarify their own values and beliefs across a lifespan. Counseling also help individuals to become self-sufficient by implementing interventions and strategies that involves goal-setting skills that is meaningful to an individual. Individuals who may seek counseling are individuals who encountered marriage and family issues, stressful or traumatic events and drug and substance abuse. In this research assignment, I will discuss events the effects of traumatic events, addictions, family therapy theories, and optimal health and wellness.

If we do not explore our feelings and weaknesses, we risk falling and causing harm to our selves and our clients as well. Accountability to ourselves and our supervisors are essential in helping us to maintain integrity in our relationships. We must also be aware of the consequences of our actions, if we act on our impulses. We must know the codes of ethics we must adhere to as counselors. Our codes of ethics urge us to protect the client above all else, even if it means protecting them from ourselves. If we are aware of and adhere to the codes of ethics as well as the moral compass found in our Bibles, we will be effective counselors.

Meta-ethics is the branch of ethics that seeks to understand the nature of ethical properties, and ethical statements, attitudes, and judgments. Meta-ethics as a discipline gained attention with G.E. Moore's famous work Principia Ethica from 1903 in which Moore first addressed what he referred to as the naturalistic fallacy. Moore's rebuttal of naturalistic ethics, his Open Question Argument sparked an interest within the analytic branch of western philosophy to concern oneself with second order questions about ethics; specifically the semantics, epistemology and ontology of ethics.

Ethics are a very important thing to consider in the field of psychology. As potential future researchers and counselors, it is critical for us to know the ethical guidelines that we must live by and practice. Without any form of ethical guidelines, there would be no sense of security or safety inside of the workplace. We would not be able to provide our clients with the professional treatment that they deserve and are paying for.